ChatGPT Mac app setup with OpenLLM


Command	`openllm chatgpt`
Mode	Persistent launcher app. Your `~/.codex` is never modified.
Talks to	OpenAI Responses API at `<gateway>/v1`, through the app's built-in Codex engine
Default model	`ultra`
Platform	macOS only
Remove	`openllm chatgpt uninstall`

Before you begin

Install the OpenLLM CLI on your Mac. See Install.
Install the ChatGPT app at /Applications/ChatGPT.app from https://chatgpt.com/download.
Have at least one model available. See Providers.

Set up with `openllm chatgpt`

openllm chatgpt

The command asks how to handle your ChatGPT account:

Choice	What happens
With ChatGPT sign-in (default)	Models run through OpenLLM. Dictation, ChatGPT connectors and apps, and Work mode keep working on your ChatGPT account and plan.
Without ChatGPT sign-in	The app runs with no ChatGPT account. Those features are turned off.

To skip the question, pass --with-chatgpt-auth or --without-chatgpt-auth. Your choice is remembered; run the command again with the other flag to change it.

The command installs /Applications/OpenLLM ChatGPT.app and records it in ~/.openllm/clients/chatgpt.json. It does not start ChatGPT.

What happens when you open OpenLLM ChatGPT

Open OpenLLM ChatGPT from Spotlight or Launchpad. Each time, the launcher:

Picks a gateway: your local daemon at http://127.0.0.1:8787 if it answers, otherwise https://www.openllm.sh.
Fetches your model catalog to ~/.openllm/clients/chatgpt/models.json.
Writes ~/.openllm/clients/chatgpt/codex-shim, which runs the app's built-in Codex engine with the same overrides as openllm codex, the openllm MCP server, and memory hooks.
Quits ChatGPT if it is running, then reopens it with CODEX_CLI_PATH pointing at the shim and your key in OPENLLM_API_KEY.

Your chats and ~/.codex stay as they are. To use ChatGPT without OpenLLM, quit it and open ChatGPT as usual.

The default model is ultra. The app's model picker lists ultra, plus, lite, and every model you have activated. To pin a model, pick it there. To change what the aliases resolve to, edit the chains in Configuration. See Routing and fallback.

The memory hooks recall before each prompt and save after each turn. If ChatGPT asks you to approve them, approve once. See Memory.

Who pays for a request

Model requests use your OpenLLM key, and the model that serves them decides who pays. A ChatGPT subscription hop runs on your own ChatGPT login through the daemon on one of your devices. An API-key hop bills your provider account. Included openllm/ models count against your plan's allowance. With ChatGPT sign-in kept, dictation and connectors use your ChatGPT plan, not OpenLLM. See Providers.

Check that it works

openllm chatgpt status

This prints one JSON line. "installed": true means the launcher is in place; chatgpt_auth shows your sign-in choice. Open OpenLLM ChatGPT, send a message, and check Overview in the app.

Common problems

Symptom	Cause	Fix
`ChatGPT.app not found at /Applications/ChatGPT.app.`	The ChatGPT app is not installed there	Install it, then run `openllm chatgpt` again
Alert: Unsupported ChatGPT version	A ChatGPT update moved its built-in engine	Run `openllm update`, then open the launcher again
Alert: OpenLLM needs an API key	No key is saved	Run `openllm chatgpt` in a terminal and paste your key
`already exists and isn't an OpenLLM launcher — refusing to replace it.`	Another app has the same name	Move or rename that app, then run the command again
The microphone button is missing	You chose Without ChatGPT sign-in	Run `openllm chatgpt --with-chatgpt-auth`, then reopen the launcher
The picker shows only OpenAI's models	ChatGPT was opened directly	Quit ChatGPT and open OpenLLM ChatGPT

For anything else, see Troubleshooting.

Remove it

openllm chatgpt uninstall

This removes the launcher app, ~/.openllm/clients/chatgpt/, and the record. If ChatGPT is running through OpenLLM, quit it and open it normally.

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ChatGPT for Mac